1.1.2 AUTHORITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Definitions:

Adequate, efficient and effective policing: are defined in the Government of Alberta’s Policing Oversight Standards for Municipal Police Commissions as follows:

  • Adequate policing is equitable and efficient:
    • Equitable: Provides the community specified needed and desired level and standard of service.
    • Efficient: Balance community specified needed and desired level and standard of service against the cost.
  • Effective policing meets specified goals developed by community and police:
    • Community specified level and standard of service
  • Level of service – resources available to police:
    • Number of members (including civilian specialists) of an agency;
    • Availability of members to do work; and
    • Facilities and equipment
  • Standard of service – nature and quality of work provided:
    • Staff knowledge, skills and abilities;
    • Equipment and specialized resources; and
    • Organization oversight (internal): quality of supervision and management; policies/procedures; planning/reporting.

The legislative intent behind the creation of the Edmonton Police Commission (Commission) is to ensure that the Edmonton Police Service (Service) remains a separate and independent body from the municipality.  The Police Commission has a unique relationship with Edmonton City Council (Council) and it exists, in part, to ensure an arm length relationship exists between the Service and the political decision-making process.  The Commission is responsible for ensuring that the police provide adequate, effective, and efficient services.

The Commission is responsible to both the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta for exercising good governance in their oversight role of the Service on behalf of the general public, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders.

Through the Police Act the Government of Alberta requires that the City of Edmonton establish a police commission through bylaw and to prescribe the rules governing its operations and appoint its members.  The Act requires that the Commission oversee the Service and to that end, it is expected to:

(a) establish the priorities of the police service, taking into account the priorities for policing in the province established under section 3.1, and report these priorities and any modification of them to the Minister within 30 days of establishing or modifying them;

(a.1) report annually or on request to the Minister on the implementation of programs and services to achieve the priorities of the police service;

(a.2) allocate the funds that are provided by the council;

(b) establish policies providing for efficient and effective policing;

(c) issue instructions, as necessary, to the chief of police in respect of the policies referred to in clause (b);

(d) ensure that sufficient persons are employed for the police service for the purposes of carrying out the functions of the police service;

(e) develop a community safety plan in conjunction with the police service that includes a plan for collaboration with community agencies, and report annually to the Minister on the implementation of and any updates to the plan;

(f) develop a diversity and inclusion plan in conjunction with the police service;

(g) exercise other powers and perform other duties and functions specified by the regulations.

Guidelines:

  1. Individual Commissioners are appointed by both City Council and the Province of Alberta. As a Commission, they are responsible to Council and the province as a corporate body within the parameters of the Police Act. 
  2. The Commission may make assignments to individual Commissioners, employee(s) or member(s) of a committee; however, the Commission retains ultimate responsibility and accountability.
  3. The Commission will account to Council and other key stakeholders through annual and periodic reports on the activities and finances of the Commission and of the Service. The Commission shall be responsible for mandatory reporting to the Province as outlined in the Act.
  4. The Commission will provide access to minutes of Board meetings, as per the Access to Information Act and its regulations.
  5. The Commission will receive representations from the general public and will consult with key stakeholders.
  6. The Commission will operate in an open and transparent manner.

References:

  1. Police Act, RSA 2000, cP-17
  2. City of Edmonton Bylaw (No 14040), Edmonton Police Commission Bylaw, December 15, 2015
  3. Access to Information Act

Revised March 19, 2026